Turning points in history How crises have changed the tasks and practice of central banks

The crisis experienced in recent years has had a transformative impact on economic thinking, public opinion vis-à-vis the financial system and our economic order per se, prompting a widespread debate. Central banks are also caught up in this process, as are perceptions of the role they play. Some now believe that we are facing a historic sea change.

It is against this backdrop that the Bundesbank will host a conference, which will look into the question of how – from a historical perspective – economic crises have transformed the role played by central banks.

Programme

Welcome
09.00 – 09.30

Jens Weidmann ©Frank Rumpenhorst

Dr Jens Weidmann, 
President of the Deutsche Bundesbank

How did central banks contribute to the stability of the financial system? Evolving demands and realisations
09.30 – 11.15

Jan Pieter Krahnen
Moderator: 
Jan Pieter Krahnen, Center for Financial Studies

Panellists

Claudia Buch © Alexandra Lechner

Claudia M. Buch, 
Deutsche Bundesbank

Presentation 
384 KB, PDF

Marvin Goodfriend

Marvin Goodfriend,
Carnegie Mellon University

Presentation 
94 KB, PDF

Charles Goodhart

Charles Goodhart,
London School of Economics and Political Science

 

Central banks and fiscal authorities: Dominance versus independence
11.45 – 13.30

Otmar Issing
Moderator: 
Otmar Issing, Center for Financial Studies

Panellists

Alan J. Auerbach

Alan J. Auerbach, 
University of California,
Berkeley

Markus Brunnermeier © Frank Rumpenhorst

Markus K. Brunnermeier, 
Princeton University

Presentation 
623 KB, PDF

Benjamin Friedman

Benjamin Friedman, 
Harvard University

Narayana Kocherlakota

Narayana Kocherlakota, 
Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

Presentation 
327 KB, PDF

How policymakers should safeguard Europe against future crises: A dialogue
14.30 – 16.00

Moderator: 
Claus Döring, Börsenzeitung

Panellists

Michel Sapin

Michel Sapin, Minister of Finance and Public
Accounts, France

Wolfgang Schäuble © Ilja C. Hendel / Bundesministerium der Finanzen

Wolfgang Schäuble, Federal Minister of
Finance, Germany

Central banks and the international environment: Exchange rate regimes and international coordination
16.30 – 18.15

Harold James
Moderator: 
Harold James, Princeton University

Panellists

Paul De Grauwe

Paul De Grauwe, 
London School of Economics and Political Science

Barry Eichengreen

Barry Eichengreen, 
University of California, Berkeley

Presentation 
430 KB, PDF

Hélène Rey

Hélène Rey, 
London Business School

Presentation 
219 KB, PDF

Concluding remarks
18:15
Mervyn King

Mervyn King,
former Governor of the Bank of England